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Most of the following pages about Chile have been transferred to our www.southamerica.cl website. It is a collection of pages with useful information and tips about Chile that many times you won't be able to find in the your typical guide book. It is a compilation of my own experience of living here and travelling in Chile over the last 12 years. Below we have some generic information about the Chile.
"In the beginning of time, God created the wonders of the world. When he had finished however, he saw that he had many leftover pieces. He had parts of rivers and valleys, of oceans and lakes, of glaciers and deserts, of mountains and forests, and of meadows and hills. Rather than to let such beauty go to waste, God put them all together and cast them to the most remote corner of the earth. This is how Chile was born."
A Chilean Legend
GENERAL INFORMATION
Most Museums are FREE on Sunday and closed on Monday.
Chile got its Independence on September 18, 1810. Every year Chileans celebrate their national day from September 17 (only a half day of work) until September 19. This day, also known as "Army day" is characterized by a military parade past the President at O'Higgins Park. The 18th celebrations are normally held in the "Fondas", a place in the open air covered with leaves that resembles a dancing and dining area. You can find many "Fondas" at Parque O'Higgins during the week of the Independence day celebrations. At these "Fondas" people gather to dance the traditional "Cueca", the national dance. The steps represent the cock stalking the hen, the amorous courting of a couple, or the cornering of a filly by a huaso (Chilean cowboy), which he is trying to lasso. Man and woman dance to the classic rhythm, twirling their white handkerchiefs in the air. Chileans have a barbecue and "Empanadas" and drink "Chicha", a drink made of fermented grapes. On this occasion people wear the traditional Chilean clothes which consists of men wearing a Poncho, knee high black leather boots with spurs "Espuelas", and a black hat with a ironing-board flat rim while women wear lively colored dresses.
Chile also has a flourishing literary tradition and has produced two Nobel Prize winners in literature, Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, both poets. Mistral had the added distinction of being both the first Latin American and the first woman to win the award.
The social greeting custom in Chile is to give one kiss on the cheek and only woman to woman or, man to woman. In a business environment, hand shaking applies at first meeting and kiss greeting thereafter.
The customary tip at restaurants is 10% - 15% of the total bill.
Inquire at better hotels about the possibility of avoiding the 19% VAT tax as a foreigner paying with a credit card.
Church in Castro - Chiloé Island
Bdo. O´Higgins 510 (get off at the Metro stop "Santa Lucia")
Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm,
Sunday from 11am to 7pm
Los Domínicos Artesan Market (handicrafts)
Avenida Apoquindo 9085
Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10.30am to 7.30pm (On Mondays only 30% of shops are open)
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www.sernatur.cl - National Tourism Board
www.monumentos.cl - National Monuments
www.conaf.cl - National Forest Corporation
Cajón del Maipo - Chile
Av. Apoquindo 4248 - 4266
Las Condes, Santiago, CHILE
Disclaimer: While Woodward Ltda. has verified the information on this site as far as possible, we make no representation as to the completeness, correctness, currency, accuracy or fitness for any purpose of the information. Woodward Ltda. will not be responsible for any damage or loss suffered by any person arising from the information contained on this web site, whether that damage or loss arises from negligence or otherwise.
© Woodward Ltda. 2003-2009. All Rights Reserved.
Last Updated: 09 July 2009